DUI INVESTIGATION LEADS TO ARREST

Viewed: 2019

Posted by: Staff
Date: Jun 21 2022 5:37 PM

WASHINGTON COUNTY, FL:A Chipley man was arrested after Washington County Sheriff’s deputies found him impaired behind the wheel of a vehicle.

 On June 20, at approximately 8:53 p.m., WCSO deputies witnessed a green Dodge pickup truck sitting on the shoulder of the road with its hazard lights on. Contact was made with the driver identified as 50-year-old, Benjamin Leonard Deakle. Deakle stated he was waiting on someone to pick him up due to a blown tire on the rear of the vehicle. A license check revealed Deakle to be operating the vehicle with a license suspended indefinitely due to a prior DUI charge.

Deakle was asked to exit the vehicle and with an admittance to drinking alcoholic beverages prior that evening, a DUI investigation was conducted.  Deakle was unable to complete the exercises associated with the SFSA portion of the investigation.  Also, a subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in deputies locating several empty beer cans and a loaded handgun.

Deakle was arrested and booked into the Washington County Jail on charges of felony DUI (more than 4), possession of a weapon by convicted felon and felony DWLSR (more than 3).

 Impaired drivers, whether it by prescription pills, illegal drugs, or alcohol, can be fatal and there will be a zero tolerance,” says Sheriff Crews.

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